National Poultry Committee chair calls for housing order for farmers to keep birds indoors

Vivienne Clarke

Nigel Sweetnam, Chair of the Irish Farmers' Association National Poultry Committee, has called for the introduction of a housing order to compel free-range poultry farmers to keep their birds indoors to halt the spread of the current outbreak of avian flu.

Speaking on RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland, Mr Sweetnam also urged farmers to immediately contact a vet and the Department of Agriculture if they suspect cases of avian flu.

Mr Sweetnam outlined the signs that farmers should look for such as high mortality and lethargic birds.

He also discussed the concept of an exclusion zone around the affected farm, where movement of birds in and out is strictly controlled and checked by a vet.

“The whole pattern of bird flu is changing, it's a mutating disease and every year presents in a new form and new challenges.

"The challenge around this year is it has arrived probably a month earlier than normal and in different geographical locations with two outbreaks in Cork where we haven't seen it very much before, so it's all together very, very worrying, particularly for the farmer involved. It’s his livelihood.”

Mr Sweetnam explained that a housing order was similar to restrictions during Covid-19.

“The order compels free range farmers to keep their birds indoors and through strict movements onto site, which is very important also, that it keeps unnecessary visits," he said.

"Because bird flu is becoming such an issue, we have enhanced housing for birds, we've reduced stocking rates, we now have the facilities to keep birds indoors. And it's basically avoiding trouble, staying indoors.”